“my patient and me, who we are, where we are, now.”

        Us

Out in the world
Unconfined
Drawing an invisible box
Around our respective screens,
Our faces meet in recognition.
We sputter, gingerly step or glide
Into our new connected space.
Some senses rendered useless,
Others sharpen,
Warmth conveyed through earnest eyes
Studying each other
New landscapes etched
on each of our faces,
Melding known with new.
Many vehicles to knowing
Absent now,
The presence that we feel of other
When in close proximity
Including there-ness physically,
Can that be felt with the distance
Foisted upon us? We now inhabit
A new world, foreign,
Outside our built cocoon.

Routines of greeting,
Rejoining, setting off
On our hour’s journey,
Stored away, not knowing when,
How, if
We will reembark as before.
And so we craft
A new ritual of engagement,
Send link, start call
Enter into
My office space, your chosen spot.
A kitchen, den or living room.
Art wall backdrop, floral couch
You lean against your bed’s wood frame
New sounds, a doorbell, nuzzling cat.
We two, amidst the new.
Who are we here? Amazingly
Still me and you, familiar.
You, I or we note as always
what’s contained
And felt. Our work
continues, and
The opportunity is born
To recognize in broad relief
The shape and depth, enduring nature
Of this bond, that if built well
Can travel outside office walls
And still stand and hold us,
solid, joined, safe.

Amidst upheaval, solitude
And threatened health,
Loneliness,
Unbidden, looms and chases
All, uncertainty our new surround.
We share that state,
Unspoken truth (unless expressed)
But also now
An opportunity exists,
For gratitude,
If, muddling through, we find
Foundation grounding us,
Woven connection that endures, expands,
Despite restriction,
Change, adjustment.
It holds its shape,
Deepens.
And at its best illuminates dimensions
That might not have risen
To the surface, otherwise.
To seize the moment and reflect
Will yield new growth, or strengthening
Of what was, is and will be
Us.

Julie Oscherwitz Grant, L.C.S.W. 5225 Old Orchard Road Suite 6 Skokie, IL 60077 720 Osterman Avenue Suite 303 Deerfield, IL 60015 (847)650-5313 jogrant@julieogrant.net www.julieogrant.net